PARTNER/ASPAN
Powerful CAD/CAM software for CNC Machinery
PARTNER/ASPAN is recognized worldwide as one of the simplest programs, that provides one of the most friendly user experience, in the field of CAD/CAM programs for the CNC machining of wood, aluminum, and plastic with numerical control machines.
It can manage different types of machines of different manufacturers and allows the user to easily create a drawing and convert it to part-program for CNC machines. Furthermore, the program is very powerful with a hundred high-level commands, functions and options.
PARTNER/ASPAN is an integrated CAD-CAM program. Users draw their production parts quickly and easily in the CAD environment and then transfer these to the CAM environment to prepare the optimized machine programs needed to actually produce the part.
A set of easy to understand commands (e.g. “Draw Holes”, “Draw Grooves”) and automatic routines (e.g. “Assign tools”, “Optimize machining sequence”) make it easy for users to define the machining operations to be performed on the unfinished parts.
The subdivision of the working environments allows the user to be easily guided throughout all development and operation phases:
Supervisor Environment
The main or Supervisor environment, which appears after the program has started, displays the preview image of the current drawing, on the right, and the list of the current archive along with search and selection options.
If the drawing has been processed in the CAM environment, machine efficiency is displayed at the top right of the screen (ratio between empty shifts and real operations).
From the Supervisor Environment, it is possible to carry out import or edit procedures for machine configuration and tooling and to run all other program environments.
CAM Environment
This is the environment where drawings are converted into machine programs by using a series of utilities for operations such as automatically assigning tools and optimizing machining sequences. A series of special commands (e.g. “Lead-in/Lead-out”, “Multi-machining”) makes it possible to configure the machine program with the exact specifications (e.g. tools, speed, worktable) of the machine currently being used.
CAD Environment
This is the drawing environment used to create graphics entities such as various types of holes (e.g. standard, countersunk, in lines, angled, hole barriers, etc.) and routings (e.g. straight grooves, arcs, ellipses, rectangles, points, etc.). Standard commands (e.g. “Join”, “Rotate”, “Auto-join”) and advanced functions (e.g. “Text”, “Empty area”, “Inclined surfaces”) are used to create the desired drawings.
Supervisor Environment
The Benefits of using PARTNER/ASPAN
In addition to being a very easy-to-use and quick program, PARTNER/ASPAN provides the most advanced user with an efficient internal macro language, APL (ATool Software Programming Language). With APL users can create new CAD and CAM commands to optimize their design procedures.
PARTNER/ASPAN can be linked to a variety of external programs by using ASC, an ATool Software proprietary format, and DXF files.
This means that users can prepare designs with their drawing program of choice and then use PARTNER/ASPAN functions to generate the machine programs necessary. Linking one program to another is made easy by a series of PARTNER/ASPAN utilities such as the possibility to “import CSV file”.
A connection bridge between different machines
PARTNER/ASPAN can handle several machine types and allows the user to generate programs for multiple machines starting out from a single drawing.
PARTNER/ASPAN can also reconstruct a drawing starting out from a machine program. This function can be used as a vital link between machines making it possible to pass data from one machine to another (“a connection bridge between different machines”).
Machines from the world’s leading manufacturers are supported by PARTNER/ASPAN.
Contact us to advise us your machine model and type of CNC equipment used, so that we can check your machine's support and assess your particular needs/case. Morbidelli, SCM, Biesse, Busellato, Anderson, CMS, Homag, Masterwood, Samec, CO.B.A.L.M., Cosmec and many others are supported.
Machine and tooling configuration is also made easy by an import procedure for configuration data directly from the machine. This operation allows the user to be up and running in a few and simple steps without wasting time with long setting procedures.
Optional Modules
Nesting
The NESTING module optimizes the filling of a panel, part of a panel or a series of panels with closed parts of any shape. The NESTING procedure can be used in the CAD environment to optimize the current panel or an area of that panel with closed parts of any shape drawn in the CAD environment. It can also be used in a dedicated environment to optimize one or more magazine panels with PARTNER/ASPAN drawings, freehand shapes, rectangles, macros, doors, cabinet parts, DXF files and ASC files.
ALUMacros
ALUMacros is a PARTNER/ASPAN option module that allows the creation of Alucobond components. Through a series of simple steps, it is possible to define the type of components to be made and the type of locks to be used. With ALUMacros it is possible to create both rectangular and angular components, having, therefore, an inclined side.
Cabinet
The CABINET module is used to prepare all the drawings, machining operations and machine programs needed to produce a complete cabinet starting out from unfinished panels.
This module is complete with a library containing various items of furniture such as empty boxes, wall cabinets (with and without doors), bookshelves, desks, and cupboards. The user can use a library item as the basis for a customized piece of furniture and then store this personalized item in the library.
Doors
The DOORS module is used to prepare the drawing and machine program needed to produce a finished door from a single, unfinished panel.
This module comes complete with a library of door types. The library includes standard doors, offset doors, arched doors and doors with vertical or horizontal panels.
Vector 2D
The VECTOR 2D module converts any image into a drawing that can be processed by the CAD/CAM PARTNER/ASPAN in order to create the CNC machine part-program.
The image can contain any type of subject. It could be artwork, a logo or a geometric design, for example. The original image can be in color or black and white. The images are only available in printed format? No problem, just use any scanner to convert them into a .BMP file.
Vector 3D
The VECTOR 3D is a powerful tool that allows you to transform an image into a three-dimensional drawing of PARTNER/ASPAN. Even complex shapes can be determined accurately and the module allows you to view a detailed preview of the work to be performed by PARTNER/ASPAN.
The Module reads lightness variation in shades of gray and allows you to create the part-program of the selected image. We will get deepest routings where the image is darker and less deep routings where it is more clear, obtaining three-dimensional machining.
Quotes
The QUOTES optional module is an application that is used to estimate the costs needed to implement a nesting. Provides the possibility to manage the cost of materials of panels and sheets used, of the machine, of the operator or employees at work and all necessary extra costs.
Want to learn more about PARTNER/ASPAN?
Our live demo offers you a thorough introduction to our software. Discover the numerous benefits and advantages PARTNER/ASPAN can bring to your business and workflow, whether you're a carpenter, joiner, bathroom designer, or interior designer. We'll guide you through the software, allowing you to ask any questions directly.